Combined beach-wagon and surf-boat.



J. A. HOWELL, COMBINED BEACH WAGON AND'SURP BOAT.

. AVPPLIOATION FILED Dams. 1908.

992,775. P t ed y. 1911 J. A. HOWELL.

COMBINED BBAGHWAGON AND SURF BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8. 1908.

I Patented May 23, 1911.

3 SHEETB-SHEET 2.

m ter/"e155 J. A. HOWELL.

COMBINED BEACH WAGON AND SURF BOAT. APPLICATION HLSD DEC. &,.1908.992,775. 1 Patented May 23, 1911.

a In 0" m: NORRIS PETERS c0. WASNINGJ'DN, a :1

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN A. HOWELL, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

v COMBINED BEACH-WAGON AND SURE-BOAT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. HOWELL, rear admiral, United States Navy,residing at Atlantic City, in the county of Atlantic and State of NewJersey, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in GombinedBeachWVagons and SurfBoats; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same. I

My present invention'relates to improvements in combined beach-wagonsand surfboats, and is intended more especially to provide certainimprovements in my patent for combined beach-wagon and surf-boat,granted June 19, 1900, No. 652,184.

Beach roads for vehicles are only very good when of sand and washed bywaves. The ocean sides of the sand islands along the Atlantic seaboardhave excellent beach Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 8, 1908.

hicle has no place there. For the Atlantic coast then, and similarcoasts elsewhere, an

amphibious vehicle to justify the name must be fitted to pass the surfand navigatethe open sea. Any boat in rough water, to be safe, must havestability and be closed against entrance of water. The amphibious boat,besides being safe, at sea, must have only-moderate weight to carry onthe road wheels. It must also be strong enough to stand striking thebeach.

My solution of the problem is to tie two floats to each other by astrong girder in the direction of intendedmovement in water or on land,thereby obtaining the necessary displacement, strength and longitudinalstability with a minimum of weight, and wetted surface. By followingordinary boat construction we might get stability and displacement,within weight limits, but the strength would be lacking, also steeringqualities, and the resulting surplus buoyancy would be so placed as toincrease pitching moments and make the propeller and rudder useless inrough water. Again, my plan is adapted to excluding all water whilepassing through breakers, through which the Patented May 23, 1911.Serial No. 466,534.

boat would drift if engine gave out, being noncapsizable. It alsosimplifies the propulsion, by turning a road wheel into an eflicientpaddle wheel, and by placing a screw where it will continue immersed. Italso makes steering certain and reliable, and eliminates the man at thesteering oar, who has heretofore always been necessary in surf boats.Itutilizes the weight of fuel by making it contribute to thelongitudinal and transverse stability, in a place perfectly safe fromfire. All these manifest improvements, over the usual boat, areobtainable without sacrifice of any essential quality of a life boat,save, possibly, a little speed in smooth water, which is more thancounterbalanced by increased speed in rough water, and the high landspeed of an automobile. The two lift the other out of water, so thatsteering never fails, and the screw cannot be pitched out of water. Theone float carrying passengers 'is so constructed that pitching m0- mentsare reduced to a minimum by concentrating the surplus buoyancy at themiddle of the float. The rear float, if rigid to the forward one, mayhave a rudder and pivoted wheel operated in the usual manner, but Iprefer to steer by swinging the floats in reference to each other, (thegirder being pivoted), for when trail is hard over, acapsize isimpossible. Under these general conditions, vehicles may consist of twofloats,

each complete in itself in all particulars and fitted to carrypassengers, connected lengthwise (in the direction of motion), so as toget necessary longitudinal stability; or of a passenger float and asmaller one, only intended for longitudinal stability and steering, orany variation between these two limits. On land the vehicle is supportedon wheels, ordinarily twounder the main float, and one under the trail,or more if necessary, and steering is effected by slewing the floats orthe pivoted wheel.

To increase the sea speed and simplify machinery, and increase steeringpower, the land wheels are used as sea propellers, being lifted toproper position, by causing the float to lift in the water, by adjustingthe girder between floats, since by holding the bottom of forward floatinclined upward to the direction of motion, the float must rise, andwith suflicient power would skim along the surface of the water. Or theproper immersion of the paddle wheel can be effected by either liftingthe wheel, or by designing the float so it will trim with bow lifted inthe water.

My invention will be more fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the sameletters throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view of the completedevice. Figs. 3 and 4t show in side elevation and plan a modified formof steering arrangement, and Fig. 5 is a section near the bow of theboat, and shows means for cushioning the front wheels, and lifting themto regulate immersion of paddles.

A represents the hull of the boat proper, which is decked over as at A,and provided with a cock-pit A closed by any suitable removable cover orhood A Bulls-eyes a for lighting the cock-pit when the cover is on areprovided, and any suitable ventilating device, (not shown) may be usedfor ventilating the same when the cover is on.

The forward end of the hull A is supported when on land on the wheels B,which carry buckets 6 adapted to engage the water when the boat isafloat. These wheels B may be mounted upon a single shaft and turntogether, but for convenience of management of the boat, the two wheelsB are preferably mounted on separate shafts C and C, which may be throwninto and out of engagement with the drive shaft D by suitable clutchmechanism F and F. The shaft D is driven by suitable gearing driven bythe internal combustion engine E. This engine E also drives thepropeller G, whose shaft may be thrown into or out of engagement bymeans of suitable clutch mechanism G.

Referring to the form of device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear floatK, which is preferably made double ended, boat shaped, as at is, isprovided with gasolene tanks 72 to carry the fuel supply. This fuelsupply is thus carried at a distance from the engine, lessening dangerof fire, and also utilizing the weight of the fuel to steady the boat.The liquid fuel is supplied to the engine E from the tank R, fed throughthe flexible pipe or hose R, under pressure of air supplied in the tankby the air hose or pipe Q, and air pump Q.

The rear float K, when on land, is supported on the wheel H, whose axleH may be adjusted in height by means of the holes h When the boat is onland the wheels and floats would assume the position shown in Fig. 1,but when in the water the rear float would dip down to correspond to thebroken line marked lVater line, thus immersing the screw G and also thelower buckets b on the forward wheels B.

In order to steer the device, whether on land or afloat, the frontWheels may be independently operated, and in addition the rear float maybe swung laterally about a pivot as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or the trailwheel and rear float may be slewed, as shown in Figs. 8 and 4.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the samson post N is rigidly securedto the stern of the forward float, and braced as at N. The bars L and Mform with rear float a swinging frame or girder pivoted to the samsonpost, and swung laterally by the tiller ropes O and steering wheel P(see Fig. 2). The head of the bar M may be provided with a plurality ofholes m to adjust the vertical angle at which the rear float is hingedto the front float, the sainson post N should preferably be vertical soas to avoid rolling the boat if the trail be swung laterally. Thus itwill be noted in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the boat maybe steered, either on land or afloat, by swinging the rear floatlaterally by means of the steering wheel and tiller ropes; or by varyingthe relative speed of the front wheels; or throwing one or the otherfront wheel out of action by means of the clutch mechanisms F and F.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the wheel H is journaledin a yoke 70 forming part of the rear float. Various holes 70 may beprovided in this yoke for the vertical adjustment of the axle of thetrail wheel, so as to mash the same in the rear trail when travelingthrough the water, and reduce the drag, if desired. Rigidly attached tothis yoke is a pivot bar or rudderhead H journaled in the framing S, S,rigidly attached to the front float. This pivot bar or rudder head Hcarries a crossbar or tiller H which may be swung by the tiller ropes O,and steering-wheel, such as P in Fig. 1. Thus it will be seen that withthe form of device shown in Figs. 3 and at, the rear float and trailwheel may be slewed in the girder 3-5, which is rigidly fastened to theforward float, instead of swinging about samson post, and thereby steerthe combination either 011 land or in the water.

It will be obvious that the clutch arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2,for driving independently of each other, the two front wheels, may alsobe adopted in connection with the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

To give a cushioning eflect to the front wheels to compensate for theweight of the front float with its load of passengers, any suitablepneumatic tire or spring attachment may be provided, such, for instance,as is shown in Fig. 5, in which the journal blocks U of the axle Ctravel in curved guides U and engage a heavy spring U protect thebuckets on the spokes of said wheels.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising two floats connectedto each other in the direction of motion, means operable from the frontfloat for swinging the rear float with a propeller mounted between saidfloats, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described, comprising two. floats connectedto each other in the direction of motion, and means for swinging therear float in the horizontal plane, with a propeller mounted betweensaid floats, substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described, comprising two floats pivotallyconnected to each other in the direction of motion, side wheels for thefirst float, and a trail wheel for the second float, and a propellermounted between said floats, substantially as described.

4. A device of the character described, comprising two floats pivotallyconnected to each other in the direction of motion, side wheels for thefirst float, and a trail wheel for the second float, means for swingingthe rear float in the horizontal plane, and a propeller mounted betweensaid floats, substantially as described.

5. A device of the character described, comprising two floats connectedto each other'in the direction of motion, road wheels with buckets onthe spokes mounted beneath the first float, a trail wheel carried by thesecond float and serving as a drogue at sea and a guide wheel on shore,means operable from the front float for swinging the rear float and apropeller mounted between said floats, substantially as described.

6. A device of the character described, comprising two floats connectedto each other in the direction of motion, road wheels with buckets onthe'spokes mounted beneath the first float, a trail wheel carried by thesecond float and serving as a drogue at sea and a guide wheel on shore,means operable from the front float for swinging the rear float, apropeller mounted between said floats, and an engine andgearing fordriving the road wheels for the first float, and also the propeller,substantially as described.

7. A device of the character described, comprising two floats connectedto each other in the direction of motion, road wheels with buckets onthe spokes mounted beneath the first float, a trail wheel carried by thesecond float, a propeller mounted between said floats, and an engine andgearing for driving the road wheels for the first float, and also thepropeller, with clutch mechanism independently operable, for throwingsaid road wheels and said propeller out of gear with said engine,substantially as described.

8. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, meansfor adjusting the vertical angle between the second float and the first,and means ,for swinging the rear float in the horizontal plane, with apropeller mounted between said floats, substantially as described.

9. A device of'the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, sidewheels for the first float, and a trail wheel for the second float,means for adjusting the vertical angle between the second'float and thefirst, means for swinging the rear float in the horizontal plane, and apropeller mounted between said floats, substantially as described.

10. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, roadwheels with buckets on the spokes mounted beneath the first float, atrail wheel carried by the second float and serving as a drogue at seaand a guide wheel on shore, means operable from the front float forswinging the rear float and a propeller mounted between said floats,substantially as described.

11. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each otherin the longitudinal vertical plane, roadwheels with buckets on the spokes mounted beneaththe first float, a

said floats, substantially as described.

13. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, sidewheels for the first float, and

- a trail wheel for the second float, means for varying the adjustmentvertically of said trail wheel, means for swinging the rear float in thehorizontal plane, and a propeller mounted between said floats,substantially as described.

14. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, roadwheels with buckets on the spokes mounted beneath the first float, atrail wheel carried by the second float, and means for varying theadjustment vertically of said trail wheel, substantially as described.

15. A device of the character described, comprising two floatsnormallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane,the front float having decked over how and stern, with a coveredelevated cock-pit near the center, and means for swinging the rear floatin the horizontal plane, with a propeller mounted between said floats,substantially as described.

16. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld relative to each other in the longitudinal Vertical plane, thefront float having decked over bow and stern, with a covered elevatedcockpit near the center, side wheels for the first float, a trail wheelfor the second float, means for swinging said second float through anangle laterally, and a propeller mounted between said floats,substantially as described.

17. A device of the character described, comprising two floats normallyheld rela tive to each other in the longitudinal vertical plane, thefront float having decked over bow and stern, with a covered elevatedcockpit near the center, side wheels, carrying buckets, for the firstfloat, and a trail wheel for the second float, and means for swingingthe rear float in the horizontal plane, substantially as described.

18. A device of the character described,

comprising two floats normally held relative to each other in thelongitudinal vertical plane, the front float having decked over bow andstern, with a covered elevated cockpit near the center, road wheels withbuckets on the spokes mounted beneath the first float, a trail wheelcarried by the second float, and means for swinging said second floatthrough an angle laterally, substantially as described.

19. A device of the character described, comprising two boat shapedfloats normally held relative to each other in the longitudinal verticalplane, the front float carrying an engine, and the rear float carryingliquid fuel therefor, a compressed air system for pumping the fuel fromthe rear float to the engine, means for swinging the rear float in thehorizontal plane, with a propeller mounted between said floats,substantially as described.

20. A device of the character described, comprising two boat shapedfloats normally held relative to each other in the longitudinal verticalplane, the front float carrying an engine, and the rear float carryingliquid fuel therefor, a compressed air system for pumping the fuel fromthe rear float to the engine, side wheels with buckets for the firstfloat, and a trail wheel for the second float, substantially asdescribed.

21. A device of the character described, comprising two boat shapedfloats normally held vrelative to each other in the longitudinalvertical plane, the front float carrying an engine, and the rear floatcarrying liquid fuel therefor, a compressed air system for pumping thefuel from the rear float to the ngine, side wheels with buckets for thefirst float, and a trail wheel for the second float, means for swingingthe rear float in the horizontal plane, and a propeller mounted betweensaid floats, substantially as de scribed.

22. A device of the character described, comprising two boat shapedfloats normally held relative to each other in the longitu dinalvertical plane, the front float carrying an engine, and the rear floatcarrying liquid fuel therefor, a compressed air system for pumping thefuel from the rear float to the engine, road wheels with buckets on thespokes mounted beneath the first float, and a trail wheel carried by thesecond float, with means for swinging said second float through an anglelaterally, substantially as described.

23. A device of the character described, comprising two floats pivotallyconnected to each other in the direction of motion, side wheels for thefirst float, yielding bearings for the axles fo said wheels, and a trialcomprising two floats connected to each other in the direction ofmotion, road wheels with buckets on the spokes mounted beneath the firstfloat, spring bearings for said wheels, a trail Wheel carried by thesecond float, and a propeller mounted between said floats,

second float, and a propeller floats, substantially substantially asdescribed. In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature, in presence oftwo witnesses.

10 JOHN A. HOWELL.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. STONE,

MARY PARsELs.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington,D. O.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for

